MOSINEE - Nestled in the trees along Half Moon Lake on the outskirts of Mosinee, Pinewood Supper Club offers spectacular lake views, top-notch food and a welcoming atmosphere.

Located just off of Marathon County KK, the quarter-mile drive down Half Moon Lake Drive is reminiscent of a trip to a cabin in the woods.

"It's a destination," said owner and head cook Steve Allen. "You don't drive past it on the highway and decide to stop. It's off the main road. It really is humbling and means a lot to us that people make a point to come here."

Pinewood Supper Club, 1208 Half Moon Lake Drive, has gained popularity across the state as well, and received second place in a Wisconsin Department of Tourism survey of the best supper clubs in Wisconsin in 2017. Ishnala Supper Club in Wisconsin Dells earned first place.

The history of Pinewood Supper Club.

The building that is now Pinewood Supper Club dates back more than a century, to about 1910, Joan said. It was called Pine Top Lodge at one point and was located on an old logging trail with cottages lining the road. In the early 1900s, the current dining room was a social room used for playing cards and dancing, Joan said.

The name changed to Pinewood Supper Club before 1970, but the current owners weren't sure exactly when that occurred.

Buy Photo

Steve Allen and his wife Joan, pose for a photo at Pinewood Supper Club in Mosinee.(Photo: TZ Kha, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Steve's parents, Al and Sally Allen, moved from Stevens Point to buy Pinewood Supper Club in 1974. Al and Sally previously ran Hot Fish Shop in Stevens Point, which is where Steve got his start in the restaurant business.

Al and Sandy operated Pinewood until 1981 when Steve and his now-wife, Joan, leased the business from his parents. The couple took over ownership in 1982, the same year they were married.

Joan has run the front of house since 1981, and said she enjoys interacting with the diners.

Steve and Joan's children also work at Pinewood. Daughter Jacque, 33, is a waitress and son, Garrison, 30, is a cook.

Buy Photo

An old photo taken at Pinewood Supper Club in Mosinee.(Photo: TZ Kha, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

"We have met a lot of friends through owning the restaurant and we are so thankful for them," Joan said.

Steve said he knew he was going to be in the restaurant business since he was a student at Stevens Point Area Senior High. He worked with his parents at the Hot Fish Shop and started cooking when he was 16 years old.

"I just always liked to cook and kind of had a talent for it," he said. Steve didn't go to school to be a cook, but says he learned from his dad.

In 2001, Steve was named restaurateur of the year by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

Buy Photo

Owner and head cook Steve Allen prepares some dishes at Pinewood Supper Club in Mosinee.(Photo: TZ Kha, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Pinewood offers true supper club experience.

Part of the experience at Pinewood Supper Club is its originality. The original pinewood beams and fireplace, which have been around since the 1910s, are highlighted in the dining room along with large windows that provide diners with stunning views of the sun setting over the lake.

In typical supper club fashion, the bar area offers an intimate area dimly lit with candles set on a new counter top. The dining room is offset from the bar and seats about 150 people.

The menu at Pinewood Supper Club includes everything from seafood and chicken to steak and pasta. A Friday fish fry is one of the staples. The restaurant features daily specials including prime rib on Saturdays.

Steve says the shrimp with a batter that has been in the family for 60 years is also a favorite.

The appetizer menu includes seafood offerings such as mussels, gator balls, calamari and seafood quesadilla.

All soups, sauces and salad dressings are made in-house.

"The food is top notch and we try and create a great atmosphere," Joan said. "We want to provide a great experience and keep people coming back for the food, the atmosphere and the experience."

Pinewood Supper Club also features a banquet room with a capacity of 170 and hosts special events such as wedding receptions.

"We are so thankful," Joan said. "You never really think or go into business thinking you'll be doing it for 45 years, but the only way you can is with great people working here and people coming back to support you."

Hours are 5 p.m. to close Tuesday through Saturday and 4 p.m. to close Sunday. The bar and lounge open 30 minutes before the dining room. The supper club is closed on Mondays.